1
2
as in argues
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in alleges
to state as a fact usually forcefully
contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contends
The company contends that since US regulators didn’t require a cancer warning, federal law bars those types of suits.
—
Jef Feeley, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
LivaNova, which manufactured the device, denies fault and contends KU Med staff failed to disinfect the units according to company instructions.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Bluevale, which has offices in New Haven and Toronto, contends the change would benefit Windsor.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
But PowerLines also contends that utilities can and should do more to utilize the existing capacity of the power grid.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Agarwal, however, contends that the congressman doesn’t fully understand the needs of the Valley’s core industry, which employs a large swath of constituents in the district.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The complaint contends that Schultz and So violated securities laws, and even indicated their efforts to skirt those laws on the Spaces call.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Jef Feeley, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
LivaNova, which manufactured the device, denies fault and contends KU Med staff failed to disinfect the units according to company instructions.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Bluevale, which has offices in New Haven and Toronto, contends the change would benefit Windsor.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
But PowerLines also contends that utilities can and should do more to utilize the existing capacity of the power grid.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Agarwal, however, contends that the congressman doesn’t fully understand the needs of the Valley’s core industry, which employs a large swath of constituents in the district.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The complaint contends that Schultz and So violated securities laws, and even indicated their efforts to skirt those laws on the Spaces call.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
-
Self-driving cars are operating commercially in some cities, and a relaxing, productive commute in an autonomous car competes for the same customer an eVTOL is trying to attract.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Weaker as a blocker on the move, but competes with a mean streak.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More than 250 security leaders helped shape the briefing, which argues the challenge is no longer just finding flaws, but deciding which ones actually pose real risk – and fixing them before they can be turned into working exploits.—
Stefanie Schappert,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The mega-corporation (owned by Amazon), as Tolentino argues, budgets for this kind of light shoplifting anyway.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Around 2021, the indictment alleges, Meade began conspiring with West to structure various financial transactions in an effort to obstruct the IRS from assessing and collecting Meade’s federal tax obligation.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Drugs allegedly supplied by staff The lawsuit further alleges a probation officer, Michael Solis, and a teacher, Alejandro Lopez, supplied the drugs that killed the teen.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the months before that change, Sun asserts, its management had been trying to pressure him into investing more in WLF.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The filing Monday asserts that a shot was heard after Allen, who was outfitted with a shotgun, handgun and several knives, ran through a metal detector.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The author insists there was no bigger fan of the Jackson children and the Jackson 5 than Joseph, whose main goal in forming the group in the first place was to protect them.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But Grindr insists this isn’t going to be a gay rave.—
Tara Palmeri,
Vanity Fair,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Testing showed that the French Roast Low Acid coffee contained half the caffeine of a regular blend, but it was not labeled accordingly, the suit claims.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
-
By mapping the chemical signatures of different growing regions, Supima can provide forensic proof that a product is exactly what the label claims.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
